Vatican-Israeli relations were clear sign of respect, says ambassador

Published: 2005-09-27

ROME (CNS) -- For many Jews, the clearest sign of a new Catholic respect for Judaism was the launching in 1993 of full diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Israel. Oded Ben-Hur, Israel's ambassador to the Vatican, said, "When God promised the land to Israel, it was an irrevocable promise," which means that discussions about the land are not strictly political. The ambassador spoke Sept. 26 at Rome's Gregorian University during a conference on the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's document on interreligious dialogue, "Nostra Aetate." Rabbi David Rosen, president of the International Jewish Committee for Interfaith Consultations, said most Jews felt the lack of diplomatic ties was a continued sign that Catholics did not recognize the right of Jews to a homeland, that they still believed "the Jewish people are condemned to wander the earth" because they did not believe in Christ. "The establishment of full relations was seen as a confirmation" of the changed attitude proclaimed by "Nostra Aetate," Rabbi Rosen said.

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